River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-12-29


gazing steadfastly with her great earnest
cyCssss Fairfax
Her figure was eucascd in q superbly-fit-
ting dress or crcam-color. In her right hand
she held 2 bouquet Of roses. white, red and
yellow. while, above her lovely brow, fast
ened among those dark trcsscs, glittered
golden star. from whose center a pure dia-
moud shot forth brilliant rays, reflected
from the myriad lights below.
The old Marquis, with powdered white
hair and cue. Euec-brcechcs and antique
buckles, and talking 70 her with the name
less grace Of the French school. while he
carried her long cloak on his free arm,
made, with her, 50 charming picture as
they came slowly and with graceful dignity
down the steps, that every body uncon-
sci0usly ceased c1nversing 10 gaze admir-
mglv upon the pair.
L was jI1. - tll, moment that Fairfax
CHANGED 10 look up and catch her eye upon
him. She. too. seemed a little confused al
being detected in gazing so fiXcdly at a
stranger. and, flushing slightly. turned to
her escort and asked him some lmpromptu
question.
Lady Lydia. has watchful companion. per
ccived the confusion on the part Of Fairfax
with evident surprise. and said, quickly:
All, you have already met my friend, the
Princess, them"
Rarely thrown OF his guard. and wonder
ful.y quick ~ recovering himself, he an
swered, slowly and quietly:
You are mistaken II you refer 70 the
lady coming down the stars, never saw
her before this evening"
This was quite true. for il was after six
o'clock, when she was watering her horse
At the pool
Not 50 easily forced to retreat. Lydia de-
termiued 70 follow Up her attack with
coup d etat Easily and gracefully slipping
her arm through his, she remarked:
let me present you. then
Vas 1t intuition. timidity or a feeling that
the Princess was a being from another
world and must be worshiped at a dis
lance what was it that caused Fairfax to
start back with look of alarm and hastily
exclaim:
NO. Please do not do that''
He saw his error Immediately, as did
Lydia Smiling sarcastically, she re-
marked. in ironical tones:
'sYOu appear to be extremely disturbed at
the idea of meeting a mere stranger, Mr..
Fairfax; and one so attractive, too"
just here the Warehouses entered from
an adjoining room and, seeing the Princess
prepared for departure, FASTENED toward
her. saying:
surely. my dear Natalie. you are not
going. without. at least, one song. l have
stopped the waltz for the express purpose
Of hearing you sing
Smiling sweetly, her charming guest re
piled:
Certainly, If you wish it, but it must be
only one.n
Going 10 the piano. the Princess played
few soft chords and began her song.
Since the fatal moment every occurrence
had been 50 OppOrtune. 50 peculiarly and
strangely appropriate. that it seemed TO
Fairfax rs if he were in land Of enchant-
ment, or dreaming But six hours had
elapsed since he had seen. only for a mo
ment. and become helplcssly fascinated
with the most lovely being he had ever be
held Fortune had also willed il that he
should not only learn the name of this fair
stranger IS well IS the haunts Of her ar
tistic labOrs. but, also. should become the
present p0Ssessor Of certain valued belon z
ings Of hers, while, TO cap the climax, he was,
nOw.not only IN her presence, but one Of his "a
vOrite ballads, that had been ringing through
his brain, ever since he had read il en-
gravcd upon the handle Of the recovered
lnife-that very song she was actually now
singing, with a voice glorious and strong;
and. yet, so sweet and deeply sympathetic
that it thrilled every fiber Of his being with
a pleasure so subtle that IL was akin to
pain Many did not restrain their tears,
and all were visibly affected. When she
finished. no applausc followed. The unusua.
silence was far more commendatOry- A
gentle pressure Cf Natalie's hand by the
Warehouses. and quiet: Thank you, my
dear, from the old gentleman, spoke vol
umcs Of praise.
was thrown over the Princess beautiful
neck and shoulders; her own white fingers
deity encased the shapcly head in its rich
covering. leaving the far-shining star still
visible.
Kissing the Marchioness, she turned 10
the guests, who rose unanimously, and,
making q pretty bow, took the arm Of the
Marquis and walked down the hall toward
the door. As she passed by, Fairfax heard
her say:
That song has haunted me all the even
ing and I can not get rid Of it."
He involuntarily started. for had he not
been in the same predicamenti
~ few hours ago" continued she, Il
discovered that had lost a precious gift
that my brother gave to me, Just before he
died. The first few bars Of that, his IA
yorite ballad, were engraved upon it, ! am
very sad over its loss
Here Fairfax lost her words. He was
seized with an almost uncomfortable desire
70 hasten after her and restore the lost
knife 70 its proper owner. But the Lady
LYDIA. who had been watching him with the
eve # a lynx. remarked, sarCastically:
surely you don't intend pursuing an en-
tire stranger, after refusing an intrOduc-
ton u herr
Recalled 70 his senses. Fairfax regarded
his fair tOrmcntor moment half in en-
treaty. half In defiance. then, assuming his
usual brslvado spirit. gave her his arm.
He was filed with Joy. OTTO then,
Vas only her brother and not a lover.
Success had crowned all the young mans
efforts. He had discovered far more about
the Princess than he had even dared to hope
for, and-far above all had been honored
By more than Z passing glance from her.
4 Wild delirium Of joy came over him.
The turn in the tide Of his life hal, At last,
come. He would take il
Abandoning himself 70 the delight Of the
moment, he waited as he had never waltzcd
before and found a worthy companion in
Lydia who moved through the dance with
marvellous ease and grace. Neither had
+ ever before met 18th such q partner. Their
dancing was 50 remarkable that all the
others paused 10 watch them. The orches-
E ira was inspired and the music transport
F inEly sweet.
/ In the case q Fairfax, this display was
z simply vent 70 his suddenly aroused and
. violent feeling the expression Of passion
ate Joy. With the 81 il was the effort Of a
T VIII stirred b. piGuc. Wealthy. titled, ad-
mircd. a rays accustomed to easy conquest
and fiattery. she was, from the first. an
moved by the lack Of interest which this
+ stranger displayed Il was something new
20 her. Conquest had begOtten IN her the
love OF conquest All men paid homage to
Z her. She expected and liked their fiattery,
and vet. dcspised them FOR IL She had now
10 deal with . strange and mysterious type
Of character. This man not only failed 10
admire her but, also. was scarcely civil.
Her attention was Immediately attracted
and her love of conquest aroused She de
tsrmIzed TO conquer; but II enieavoring 70
interest. she. herself. became interested
and. recognizing the fact, grew angry with
herself for Tho weakness. STE was n
noyed with herself, because Of the lttle